Remote-control device



Oct. 31, 1944. Y C, v KQQNS 2,361,774

REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE Filed DSC. 25, 1941 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1` CH RLES KOONS BY ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 31, 1944 REMOTE-CONTROL DEVICE Charles V. Koons, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner, by mesne assignments, to American Engineering Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 26, 1941, Serial No. 424,552

(C1. ca -54.6)v

4 Claims.

This invention relates to remote control devices adapted for use on ships vto control the operation of the steering or other mechanisms thereof and when so used are generally known l as telemtors One object of the present invention is to provide a simplified and generally improved remote control device or telemotor of the hydraulic type.

Another object is to provide a compact and unitary control device wherein the parts of the forward end thereof are enclosed by a common casing and to provide within said casing a reservoir for the uid utilized in the system.

Another object is to provide in a device of the stated character novel and simplified valve constructions.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of the invention progresses.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view partly in section of the remote control device or telemotor comprising the present invention.

Fig. 2 isv a sectional elevational View taken through the forward or control end of the remote control device, showing the arrangement of the various elements thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the shuttle valve taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the by-pass valve provided at the control end of the remote control device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I indicates the entire remote control device or telemotor which consists of a forward unit 2 and an after unit 3. The forward unit 2 is usually located in the pilot house of the ship while the after unit is located adjacent the steering mechanism near the stern of the ship. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the forward unit 2 comprises a casing 4 having a pumping unit 5 mounted therein. Casing 4 is provided with a circular flange 6 at the lower end thereof, which seats upon a bottom plate l. Bolts 3 extending through flange 6 and bottom plate I rigidly secure the unit to the deck 9 of the bridge.

Casing 4 comprises a lower, substantially cylindrical portion Ill, an intermediate frustro-conical portion II, and an upper, substantially cylindrical portion I2. in Figs. 2 and 3, the pumping unit 5 and other hydraulic elements hereinafter described are As shown more particularly mounted in the lower portion I9 of casing 4,\the pumping unit being bolted or otherwise secured to a bracket 5a integral with casing 4. The intermediate portion II is provided with top and bottom walls I3 and I4 respectively, and an interior cylindrical wall I5 disposed toward the right (Fig. 2) and connected to the said top and bottom walls. The cylindrical wall I5 provides a vertically disposed cylindrical chamber IS through which the drive shaft II of pumping unit 5 extends. The top and bottom Walls I3 and I4, interior cylindrical wall I 5, and the outer frustroconical wall I8 form a closed chamber I9, which constitutes a reservoir for the fluid utilized inthe system.

The outer wall I8 of intermediate portion II is provided with a projecting portion 20 to which is attached a gauge 2| which registers the depth of the fluid in the reservoir I9. Gauge 2I comprises a supporting bracket 22 which extends into the interior of chamber I9 and in which a shaft 23, operatively connected to the pointer 24 of said gauge, is rotatably mounted. Shaft 23 has secured thereto one end of an arm 25 to the other end. of which issecured a float 26.

Fluid is supplied to reservoir I9 through a tube 21 vwhich extends through openings providedinV the top walls 23 and I3 of top and intermediate portions I2 and II, respectively, of casing 4. A removable plug 29 seals the upper end of tube 2l and prevents foreign matter from entering reservoir I9.

As shown in Fig. 2, the right hand side of the upper portion I2 of casing 4 is provided with a relatively large opening 30 and has secured thereto in any suitable manner, such as by bolts 3l, a bearing bracket 32. Mounted in bearings 33 and 34 in bracket 32, and extending through opening 35, is a shaft 35 to one end of which is secured a steering wheel 3S;k The other end of shaft 35 has secured thereto a bevel gear 31 which meshes with a bevel gear 38 secured to shaft I'I. Shaft II is mounted in any suitable bearings 39 and 40 disposed at the upper ends of chamber I6 and the upper cylindrical portion I2 of casing 4, respectively, and is operatively connected at its lower end to the gear 4| of pumping unit 5. Gear 4I and its companion gear 42 are .rotatably mounted in the casing 43 of pump 5. It therefore is seen that any movement imparted to wheel 36 is imparted to the gears 4I and 42 of pump 5, causing the latter to deliver fluid to the after unit 3, as will presently be described.

Refering to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be observed that one side of casing 43 has extending therefrom a ilanged fitting to which is secured by bolts 48 a second tting 41.. Fitting 41 is connected to one end of a 4-way pipe fitting 49 by piping 48. The other side of tting 49 is connected to one end of the casing 50 of a normally closed by-pass valve 5|, by piping 52. The other side of the casing 43 of pump 5 has also extend-v ing laterally therefrom a flanged fitting 53 to which is secured by bolts 54 a second fitting 55. Fitting 55 is connected to one side of a second 4-way pipe tting 56 by piping 51. The other -side of fitting 55 is connected to the opposite side of the casing 50 of bypass valve 5| by piping 58.

By-pass valve 5| comprises a frustro-conical valve member 59 rotatably mounted within the casing 50 thereof, and having an opening 60 extending therethrough. W'hen valve member 59 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, no fluid may pass therethrough. However, when the valve member is moved through an angle of ninety degrees iiuid is free to pass through the opening 60 thereof. A handle 6 I secured to the upper end of valve member 59 is provided for operating the latter to open or closed position.

The bottom wall I4 of reservoir |9 has provided therein a pair of threaded openings 63 and 64, the former of which is used as a drain and is normally sealed by a plug 65. Opening 64 receives a threaded pipe 66 extending upwardly from a check valve 61 which in turn is connected to the central port 68 of a. shuttle valve 69. Shuttle valve 69 comprises a cylindrical body portion 10 having an enlarged opening 1| provided therein which communicates with port 68 and openings 12 and 13 extending therefrom to the outer sides 14 and 15 of said body portion, `and through which extends a slidable valve member 16.

Valve member 16 consists of a pair of spaced valve elements 11 and 18 which are connected by a guiding and supporting member 19. A bolt extending through openings provided centrally of valve elements 11 and 18 and member 19 retain the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4. The

sides of body portion 10 are providedwith seats 8| and 82 for valve elements 11 and 18, respectively. Valve 69 also consists of a pair of end members 85 and 86 having threaded ports 81 and 88], respectively, provided centrally thereof. End members 85 and 86 are provided with dished out portions 89 and 90, respectively, to accommodate valve elements 11 and 18 and bolt 80, as shown in Fig.'4. Annular grooves 9| and 92 are respectively-provided in end members 85 and 86 which receive the sides 14 and 15, respectively, of member 10 near the outer periphery thereof to eiect a seal. Aligned apertures 93 are provided at the corners of each end member for receiving bolts 94 which, when tightened, draw the parts into the position shown in Fig. 4. Port 81 of end member 85 is connected to the upper end of 4-way fitting 49 by piping 95, while port 88 of end member 86 is connected to the upper end of 4-way fitting 56 by piping 96. The lower end of tting 49 isconnected to the left hand end of the cylinder 91 of motor 98 of after unit 3 by a pipe 99, while the right hand end of the cylinder |00 of motor 98 is connected to the lower end of the fitting 56 by a pipe |0|.

Motor 98 is secured to a bracket |02, which, in turn may be secured to the deck of the steering compartment. Cylinders 91 and |00 are in axial alignment and have operating therein a piston 03. Secured to piston 03 intermediate the ends thereof is a crosshead |04 to which is pivotally connected at |05 one end of link |06, the other end of which being pivotally connected to the arm |01 of a bellcrank lever |08. The other arm |09 of bellcrank lever |08 may be connected to the control mechanism for the steering or other mechanism (not shown). Crosshead |04 has secured thereto in any suitable manner a pair of threaded bolts ||0 and The left hand ends of bolts ||0 and are respectively secured to the right hand ends of a pair of rods ||2 and H3, which extend through apertures provided in a pair of spaced cross members ||4 and ||5. Cross member ||4 in the present instance is integral with bracket 02, while cross member ||5 is secured to bracket |02 by a pair of rods IIE. Rods ||6 are provided with screw threads at the ends thereof and extend through apertures provided in cross member ||5 and a vertically extending supporting member |1 of bracket |02. Nuts H8 and ||9 provided at the left and right hand ends, respectively, of rods ||6 secure the parts in position and permit the distance between cross-members ||4 and ||5 to be varied. Rods l2 and |3 areprovided with threaded portions |20, 2| at the right hand ends thereof, and have provided thereon nuts |22 and |23, respectively. Also mounted on rods 2 and ||3 near the right hand end thereof, and extending through apertures provided in cross member H4, are sleeves |24 and |25, respectively, the right hand ends of which being in engagement with nuts |22 and |23. Secured to sleeves |24 and |25, and disposed at the left side (Fig. l) of cross member H4, are a pair of spring seats |26, |21, respectively, which receive the right hand ends of coil springs |28 and |29. The other ends of springs |28 and |29 engage spring seats |30 and |3| respectively, secured to sleeves |32 and |33 provided near the left hand ends of rods |2 and ||3. The left hand ends of rods ||2 and 3 are threaded, as shown at |34 and |35, and have nuts |36 and |31 respectively, provided thereon, and which engage the left hand ends of sleeves |32 and |33, respectively. Sleeves |24, |32, and |25, |33, are loosely mounted on rods H2 and H3, and consequently the Said rods are free to move relative thereto.

From the foregoing description it is seen that upon movement of piston |03 to the left, crosshead |04 will cause bellcrank lever |08 to move in a clockwise direction. At the same time, nuts |22 and |23 will engage sleeves |24 and |25, causing them, as well as the spring seats |26 and |21, respectively, secured thereto, to move to the left, thereby compressing springs |28 and |29. On the other hand, when piston |63 is moved in the opposite direction crosshead |04 will cause bellcrank- |08 to move in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time, the nuts |36 and |31 provided at the left hand ends of rods 2 and ||3, respectively, will engage their sleeves |32 and |33, causing said sleeves, as well as the spring seats |30 and |3| secured thereto, to move to the left, to compress springs |28 and |29. It therefore is seen that the springs |28 'and |29 operate to return the parts to normal position after operation thereof. The rods H6. ||2 and ||3 may be properly positioned with .respect to crosshead |04 by adjustment of nuts To l"begin the .operation of the device, the operator makes certain that bypass valve 54 isiclosed, and that the proper amount of liuid `is :in the system. Upon operation :of steering wheel in such `a direction as to cause gear 4.1 of pumping unit 5 .to move in the clockwise direction (Fig. 3) fluid und-er pressure will enter Vvfitting 45 and new to the left hand end of cylinder -91 to motor 98 through tting 46, piping 48, fitting 49 and pipe 99. Fluid at the right hand end of cylinder |00 will be returned to pumping unit 5 through pipe |0|, tting 56, pipe 51, and fittings 55 and 53. By this action piston |03 is caused to move to the right, which through crosshead |04 imparts a movement to bellcrank lever |08 in a clockwise direction. At the same time nuts |36 and |31 engaging the outer ends of sleeves |32 and |33, respectively, will cause a movement thereof and of the spring seats |30 and 3| secured thereto to the right, thereby compressing springs |28 and |29. In the event that the Wheel 36 should now be turned in the opposite direction, causing gear 4| of pumping unit 5 to move in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3), fluid will now enter the right hand end of cylinder |00 of motor 96 through ttings 53, 55, pipe 51, fitting 56 and pipe |0I. Fluid at the left hand end of cylinder 91 will be returned to pump 5 through pipe 99, fitting 49, piping 48 and fittings 41 and 45. By this action piston |03, together with crosshead |02, will be moved to the left, thereby effecting a movement of bellcranklever |08 in a clockwise direction. By this action the compression previously placed on springs |28 and |29 will be relieved until the central position has been reached. Continued movement of piston |03 to the left will cause compression of springs |28, |29 through the action thereon of spring seats |26, |21, as previously described. When the wheel |36 has been restored to its neutral position, springs |28 and |29 will assure proper positioning of piston |23, and consequently of crosshead |02 and bellcrank lever |08, thereby bringing the controls of the steering or other mechanism operated thereby to neutral position.

During operation of the device it is seen that fluid from reservoir |9 may enter the system through piping 66, check valve 61, and shuttle valve 69. The check valve 51 prevents uid in the system from backing up into reservoir |9. Valve 61 therefore constitutes an additional precaution to prevent fiuid in the system from owing into the reservoir upon a pressure rise in the system. I

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, when steering wheel 36 has been so operated as to discharge fluid through fitting 45, pressure will be imposed against valve element 11, thereby causing valve member 16 to move to the right to prevent the passage of iiuid therethrough. It is seen, however, that makeup uid may enter the system through port 68, opening 13, port 88, piping 96, and fitting 56. On the other hand, when steering wheel 36 has been so operated as to cause pump 5 to deliver fluid to fitting 53, the pressure created thereby will operate against valve element 18, causing valve member 16 to move to the left, thereby preventing passage of fluid through opening 13. Under these conditions makeup fluid from reservoir I9 may enter the system through port 68, opening 12, port 81, piping 95, and fitting 49.

The bypass valve 5| is provided to disable operation of the device whenever it is desired to do so. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a removable plate |550 normally closes an Vaccess opening. pro# vided atnonerside of the lowerportion l0 of casi-ng 4." Plate 858 iis 'held in position by bolts 15| --and has la transverse slot H52 provided therein through which fthe handle 61| extends.

'From vthe foregoing description it is seen that my improved l.ren-lote control device Amay be used not only von board ship, but also to `control the opera-tion of devices located elsewhere, when remote control thereof is desired.

While the embodiment herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since it may be embodied in other forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A remote control device comprising a uid system, a casing, said casing comprising an upper for operating valve 5| portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, a wall provided centrally of said intermediate portion dening a passageway extending through said intermediate portion and communicating with said upper and lower portions, a

'means operatively connecting said pump to the lower end of said shaft, and means for actuating said gearing.

2. A remote control device comprising a uid system, a casing, said casing comprising an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, a wall provided centrally of said intermediate portion dening a passageway extending through said intermediate portion and communicating with said upper and lower portions, a shaft extending through said passageway and into said upper and lower portions, gearing provided in said upper portion for actuating said shaft, a pump provided in said lower portion, means operatively connecting said pump to the lower end of said shaft, means for actuating said gearing, the said intermediate portion of said casing forming a reservoir for said system and means operatively connecting said reservoir to said pump.

3. A remote control device comprising a iiuid system, a casing, said casing comprising an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion,` a wall provided centrally of said intermediate portion defining a passageway extending through said intermediate portion and communicating with said upper and lower portions, a shaft extending through said passageway and into said upper and lower portions, gearing provided in said upper portion for actuating said shaft, a pump provided in said lower portion, means operatively connecting said pump to the lower end of said shaft, means for actuating said gearing, the said intermediate portion of said casing forming a reservoir for said system, means operatively connecting said reservoir to said pump, a shuttle valve, piping connecting one side of said shuttle valve to one side of said pump and piping connecting the other side of said valve to the other side of said pump, and means connecting said shuttle valve to said reservoir.

4. A remote control device comprising a fluid system, a casing, said casing comprising an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, a wall provided centrally of said intermediate portion dening a passageway extending portion of said casing forming a` reservoir for 10 saidr-systeni, means operatively connecting said reservoir to said pump, a shuttle valve, piping connecting one side of said shuttle Valve to one side of said pump and piping connecting the other side of said Valve to the other side of said pump, means connecting said shuttle valve to said reservoir, a bypass valve connected to the opposite sides of said pump, and operating means for said byf pass valve.

- CHARLES V. KOONS` 

